FC Bayern entertain Borussia Mönchengladbach in the top match on Bundesliga Matchday 31 (follow the action in English from 18.30 CEST with our exclusive fcbayern.com live updates), and they might seal the title if Borussia Dortmund lose to Fortuna Düsseldorf earlier on Saturday. However, the Foals represent a tough hurdle for the German record champions.
Impressions from FC Bayern's final training session:
The situation
Things could not go any better for FC Bayern at the moment. The Bavarians advanced to the DFB Cup final for the third time on the bounce when they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 on Wednesday. The eighth straight championship title is within reach in the Bundesliga. FC Bayern are seven points clear of closest rivals Borussia Dortmund, with four matches to go.
Hansi Flick's men have won all of their last 12 competitive matches. The last defeat dates back to more than six months ago, the reverse fixture against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bayern took the lead but lost 2-1.
FC Bayern lost 2-1 to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the reverse fixture, FCB's last defeat in a competitive match.
The opponents
Gladbach are on 56 points, lying fourth in the table. Borussia suffered a setback in the race for the coveted Champions League spots last weekend, when Marco Rose's men lost 1-0 away to SC Freiburg. But Bayern have been warned, and not only because of the defeat in the first half of the campaign. The men from Munich have lost three of their last five Bundesliga duels with Gladbach. The recent home record is evenly balanced. Bayern have won three and lost three of their last eight Bundesliga home matches against Borussia, with two games ending in a draw.
Serge Gnabry, who missed the cup match against Frankfurt with a back problem, took part in the squad programme on Friday.
Team news
Bayern will be without Thiago, who has undergone groin surgery. Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski will serve a one-match ban after seeing a fifth yellow card in the 4-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. Serge Gnabry, who missed the match against Frankfurt with a back problem, is rated doubtful. The forward took part in team training on Friday. FC Bayern will be without long-term absentees Niklas Süle, Philippe Coutinho and Corentin Tolisso. Süle and Coutinho might resume parts of the squad programme next week, said Flick: "They need two coronavirus tests before that. They completed the first one today, the second follows on Monday. If everything's fine we might be able to slowly reintroduce them after the Bremen match. Everything's fine in Coco's case, he's still in rehab, he trained on the AlterG [anti-gravity treadmill] yesterday."
Mönchengladbach will be without Alassane Pléa. The forward was sent off for a second bookable offence against Freiburg. Denis Zakaria will miss the match with a knee problem. Breel Embolo is fit again, with Fabian Johnson rated doubtful.
What the coaches say
Hansi Flick: "We're focused on ourselves, we want to win our matches. Of course the last few weeks have been exhausting. But we've managed it so that those who'll play can turn in a top performance. Gladbach are very strong in attack. They quickly get into shooting positions, they're aggressive when not in possession, they press well. They've assembled a good team, they play attractive football and are enjoying a very successful season."
Marco Rose (Borussia Mönchengladbach): "When you play against Bayern you must give them trouble, in possession and without the ball. Munich are very active in all phases of the game, they work hard when not in possession, their counterpressing is very strong, they're highly dangerous up front. We need to be extremely alert to defend against them. We must be very bold from the start, and we still need a bit of luck to have a realistic chance to take something away."
Top fact
Bayern's attacking machine is going at full pelt! FC Bayern have scored 90 goals in 30 matches so far, setting a new Bundesliga record. They have scored an average of three goals per game. If they keep up the rate they will break another Bundesliga record: FC Bayern have scored 101 goals in the 1971/72 campaign.
More facts and stats ahead of the game:
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